Best WordPress Backup Plugins in 2026 (Offsite Storage, One-Click Restore, and Pricing)

The first time I really needed a backup, it wasn’t a hack. It was me, clicking “Update” on a plugin that seemed harmless. The site didn’t just glitch, it face-planted. That’s when I learned the hard rule: if your backup plan depends on you remembering to do it, it’s not a plan.

In 2026, WordPress backup plugins aren’t just about copying files. I want automated backups, offsite storage, one-click restore, and pricing that makes sense per site (or across client sites). Below is the short list I’d trust, plus what restoring actually feels like when things go wrong.

What I check before I trust any backup plugin

A backup is only useful if it restores fast. So I judge plugins for automated backups in this order: restore flow, offsite reliability, then backup features.

Offsite storage matters because hosting failures are real and can overwhelm server resources. If backups live on the same server, you can lose everything at once. Some plugins store backups in your cloud storage (Google Drive, Amazon S3, Dropbox, etc.). Others store them on their cloud. Both can work, but the trade-off is control vs simplicity.

One-click restore is the difference between “back online in minutes” and “I guess I’m learning SFTP tonight.” I also want partial restores (database-only, plugins-only, uploads-only), because rolling back everything can break new orders, new posts, or membership changes.

Incremental backups are a big deal once a site grows. Instead of re-uploading a giant zip every time, incremental backups save only changes. That means faster backups and less server strain.

My quick rule: if your site makes money, pay for a backup tool that supports incremental backups and point-in-time restore. Free is fine for hobbies, not revenue.

Finally, I watch for cloud caveats. Amazon S3 and similar services can charge for storage and bandwidth. Google Drive and Dropbox can hit API limits on busy days. Those aren’t reasons to avoid them, but they are reasons to plan.

If backups are part of a bigger “move fast” workflow for you, my backup choices often overlap with my site migration tools, so I keep this handy: top tools to backup and migrate your site.

Quick comparison (offsite storage, restore, incremental, and 2026 pricing)

Here’s the snapshot I use when picking a plugin for a site and evaluating its pricing plans.

Plugin	Offsite storage supported	One-click restore	Incremental backups	Typical 2026 price range	Best for
UpdraftPlus	Your cloud (Drive, Dropbox, S3, OneDrive, SFTP/FTP)	Yes	Yes (paid)	Free version, paid from about $70 per year	Blogs and SMB sites that want flexible storage
Jetpack VaultPress	Jetpack cloud	Yes	Yes (real-time on some plans)	About $4 to $5 per month per site	WooCommerce and sites needing fast rollbacks
BlogVault	BlogVault cloud	Yes	Yes	About $7 to $8 per month per site (annual plans too)	Business sites that want off-server backups
Duplicator	Your cloud (paid), plus local packages	Yes (paid)	No (typically full backups)	Free version, paid from about $69 per year	Agencies and devs who also migrate often
Solid Backups	Dropbox, S3, Solid Stash	Yes	Yes	About $99 per year (multi-site options)	Multi-site owners who want central management

Pricing shifts, promos come and go, and “per site” rules vary. Still, this table gets you close enough to shortlist quickly, then confirm the exact tier you need.

The plugins I’d actually use (restore workflow, pros and cons, and licensing notes)

UpdraftPlus (best flexible storage on a budget)

UpdraftPlus is my “default” choice when someone wants control over where backups live, with options like Google Drive, Amazon S3, or Dropbox for flexible cloud storage. The free version is useful and a great starting point for those on a budget, but I treat the paid UpdraftPlus as the unlock for bigger sites, mainly because incremental backups and advanced automation, including automated backups and scheduled backups, reduce headaches.

Restore workflow: From the WordPress dashboard, I pick a backup, click restore, then choose components (plugins, themes, uploads, database). It feels like 2 to 4 clicks, depending on what I’m restoring.

Pros: Lots of offsite options, partial restores, and good value if you manage a few sites.
Cons: Cloud accounts can hit API limits, and large restores can be slow on weak hosting.
Licensing: Entry tiers commonly cover a small number of sites (for example, around 2), then scale up.

Jetpack Backup (VaultPress style backups for “I need it back now” sites)

When uptime and fast rollback matter more than storage choice, I lean toward Jetpack VaultPress. It’s tightly integrated with its own cloud, and the restore experience is polished, especially for real-time backups on a WooCommerce store. Their overview is also a decent starting point if you want the vendor’s angle: Jetpack’s guide to choosing a backup plugin.

Restore workflow: I choose a restore point in Jetpack, then restore to the same site. On stores, that “pick a point in time” approach is the whole appeal.

Pros: Very simple restores, strong for WooCommerce, minimal setup.
Cons: No free tier, pricing is per site, and you’re relying on a third-party cloud.
Licensing: Per-site, so agency totals can climb fast.

BlogVault (off-server backups that don’t bog down your host)

BlogVault stands out because backups run with zero server load on your WordPress server, plus it includes malware scanning. That’s great for busy sites, and it’s why I’ll suggest BlogVault for clients who already push their hosting hard, often pairing it with a staging site for testing restores.

Restore workflow: I pick a backup in the BlogVault dashboard and run a restore. It’s designed to be one-click, and you typically restore the full site. Partial options depend on plan and setup, so I always check before committing.

Pros: Off-server backups, strong reliability for business sites, good for high-change sites.
Cons: Paid-only, and pricing can depend on site size or usage tiers.
Licensing: Per-site plans, plus agency options if you manage many installs.

Duplicator (backup plus migration, great when you move sites often)

Duplicator is the tool I reach for when backup and site migration are basically the same task, supporting one-click cloning for quick site migration. I’ve used it for quick safety snapshots before major changes, including a full database backup, then reused the package to move the site during site migration.

Restore workflow: In paid tiers, restores can be handled from the dashboard. In package mode, restore feels more manual because you’re deploying an archive and installer for site migration.

Pros: Excellent for agencies, doubles as a migration tool, flexible packaging.
Cons: Not known for true incremental backups, and large packages can hit PHP timeouts.
Licensing: Paid tiers scale with features and site counts.

If you want the migration-style flow, this walkthrough helps: backup and clone your WordPress in minutes. For the vendor’s overview, see Duplicator’s backup plugin roundup.

Solid Backups (classic backup mindset, good multi-site management)

Solid Backups is a steady pick when you want scheduled backups, automated backups, offsite storage, and a more centralized feel across multiple installs. It’s a good complement to tools like WP Staging for testing backups before deployment.

Restore workflow: I usually restore from a backup list, then roll back the full site. Partial restore support can vary by configuration, so I confirm it during setup if I know I’ll need database-only restores.

Pros: Solid scheduling, offsite options (including their own storage), useful for multi-site owners.
Cons: Storage limits can apply on bundled storage, and extra space costs extra.
Licensing: Often positioned with multi-site tiers (for example, managing up to about 10 sites on some plans).

My practical picks for common scenarios (plus a quick FAQ)

Here’s how I match tools to real sites:

• Personal blog: UpdraftPlus free, with offsite to Drive or Dropbox, then upgrade once the site grows.
• SMB site (brochure plus leads): UpdraftPlus paid, or Solid Backups if I’m using managed hosting for several sites together.
• WooCommerce store: Jetpack Backup, because quick rollbacks matter when orders are flowing.
• Agency managing client sites: Duplicator for site migration-heavy work, plus a backup tool that supports incremental backups for larger clients.
• WordPress multisite: I check support carefully, then lean Solid Backups or UpdraftPlus paid, depending on restore needs.

FAQ: backup frequency, RPO/RTO, and restore tests

How often should I back up my WordPress site?
I match backup frequency to change rate. Blogs often do daily backups. Stores and membership sites may need hourly or real-time.

What do RPO and RTO mean in plain English?
RPO is how much data you can afford to lose (like 1 hour of orders). RTO is how long you can be down (like 15 minutes vs 5 hours).

Why should I do restore tests?
Because backups fail quietly, whether manual backups or automation. I do a test restore of the database backup to a staging site every so often (using tools like WP Staging), especially after major host changes or plugin upgrades.

If you only take one thing from this, let it be this: a backup you’ve never restored is just a file sitting somewhere. Set up automated backups with scheduled backups to cloud storage for peace of mind. In 2026, I’d rather pay a bit for one-click restore than pay with a lost weekend, so check pricing plans for the best value.